Latest News - August 2011

August 3, 2011
World Trade Center concrete workers walkout of construction site over union disagreement
Source: NY Daily News
By: Brian Kates

Union concrete workers continued their walkout at the World Trade Center for a second straight day yesterday - but both sides returned to the bargaining table, sources said.

The job action has slowed construction at the Freedom Tower and the World Trade Center transit hub, but it has not affected work at the 9/11 memorial.

"A walkout at the memorial would infuriate New Yorkers," said one Ground Zero contractor who asked not to be named.

"The union knows it would be a public relations nightmare to strike there."

The Port Authority, which owns the site, said the memorial is on track to open next month for the 10th anniversary of the Sept.11 terror attacks.

The concrete workers have not formally declared a strike. Other trade unions continue to work at the World Trade Center and at other sites around the city that are being boycotted by the concrete workers.

Contractors on at least five major construction projects targeted by the union were said to be seeking arbitration of alleged violations of labor agreements that forbid strikes.

Representatives of both the 2,700-member Concrete Workers District Council and the Cement League, which represents contractors, declined to comment.